Porcupine Mountains State Park

Porcupine Mountains State Park is located 15 miles west of Ontonagon in Upper Michigan. This is the largest State Park in all of Michigan and its 60,000 acres make it one of the few remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest. Towering virgin timber, secluded lakes, and miles of wild rivers and streams make a visit to the “Porkies” a trip to remember. Come visit the Porkies and take a trip back in time. A recreation passport is required for entry into the park.

The Porcupine Mountains State Park was established in 1945 by the government in Michigan. Since then the Porcupine Mountains have remained nearly unchanged despite the advancing world around us. The interior of the park has majestic towering pine and hemlock that can be visited by hiking or biking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. One of the great features of the park is its solitude. The sheer size of the Porkies makes a visit there one of the most secluded vacations you can take. As Michigan’s only state designated wilderness, the Porkies uses Leave No Trace ethics and has developed manuals for specific uses.

Black bears are also common in the Porcupine Mountain State Park. Please follow these safety precautions from the DNR:

When backcountry camping, bear bags must be suspended at least 12 feet above the ground and far enough from the tree to prevent an animal from reaching or jumping on it. Never feed wild animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, exposes them to predators and other dangers, and causes them to lose their natural fear of humans.